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Hakobune ‎– Vitex Negundo [English/Polish]

ENG: Although I’ve already been listening to such music for almost twenty years, sometimes I still wonder about the phenomenon of ambient, especially in its typically drone variety. Let’s take Hakobune – the guy comes from Japan, he releases consecutive materials as if they come from an assembly line (alone or in collaboration with other musicians), which at first listen all sound very much alike in their minimalism. At least the ones I’ve listened to since I recently began to explore the project more deeply, although claiming that I know Takahiro’s work throughout would be a slight abuse. But the Japanese musician lures me every time to a greater or lesser extent.

This time we have an EP. Released by Empiric Records, and containing three pieces lasting a total of just over half an hour. While this German label is specializing in vinyl, “Vitex negundo” is out on CD. The vinyl will also be released in January. Don’t expect a revolution in Hakobune’s sound. The Japanese artist once again takes on the burden of releasing the recipients of his music from the drudgery of everyday life. A lot of ambient folks are able to do it successfully, many of them we have already presented in our magazine, but Takahiro Yorifuji has this vague something that only the best can show. Or should I say: the most effective ones.

Hakobune mainly uses processed guitar sounds enriched by several elements, both electronic and analog. Ambient soundscapes and slowly flowing melodies are wrapped in a thick, but warm mist that helps the listener to physically get rid of the weight accumulated on their shoulders. And the one in their soul. This is the first and longest track, “Saying This Once”. The musician condenses the sound so much that it appears almost organic, but without implementing any field recordings. At least that’s the impression I have.

“Brief Respite”. Yes, this is the shortest of the compositions in the EP, but I’m not sure whether it is such a relief after “Saying This Once”, because this fragment contains a certain amount of subtle but heart-gripping drama, like a film that illustrates the human tragedy in a distant and restrained manner. I noticed that for an ambient musician, Takahiro feels exceptionally comfortable in the shorter forms. “Cease To Effect” is a return to melancholy suspended in time, when everything literally slows down and the body and spirit are hidden in a warm and soft cocoon, tightly isolating the listener from the environment.

If your sensitivity is identical with that of Takahiro Yorifuji, there’s no other option than to let yourself drift with “Vitex negundo”. The Japanese moves very smoothly within the drone stylistics, knowing how to use his minimalist forms to soothe and lull the listener to sleep. For jagged nerves “Vitex negundo” works better than valerian.